Photographic printing machine



Aug. 1, 1933. A. w. JACOB! PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 12, 1930 4 Sh e s-Sheet L:

INVENTOR APTHu/e W Jncos/ ATTORNEYS Aug. 1, 1933. w JACOB] 1,920,561

FIG. 2

BYAKTHU/P W. dhcoa/ M 1' ATTUPNY5 Aug. 1, 1933. w JACOB] 1,920,561

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 12, 1930 4 S ets-Sheet 3 M uvmvroe Y ARTHUR W JT cos/ W1 A 770/?NEY5 Aug. 1, 1933. w JACOB] 1,920,561

I PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed June 12, 1950 4 h etst 4 INVENTOR ARTHUR W. J4c05/ ATTORNEY 5 Patented Aug. 1, 1933 UNITED I STATES Miner-um 1,320,561 PHOTGGRAPHIC PRINTING IWACHINE Arthur 'W. Jacobi, St. Louis, Mo., assignor of twothirds to O. J. Coughly and R. E. Ponder, both of St. Louis, Mo.

Applicaticndune 12, 19

30. Serial No. 460,635

31 Claims. (01. 95-73) This invention relates to photographic printing machines and more particularly to an improved machine for successively printing a' v the class described, improved means for clamping plurality of images on photographic paper.

In the printing of photographs, Where it is desirable to enhance the appearance of the finished picture by the addition of a border or design, it is the usual practice'to subject the recording element to a series of light exposures prior to the development of the print. The picture proper is imprinted in the usual manner, as by exposing the element to light, filtered through a negative or film. The element is then subjected to a second exposure, the principal image being protected from the light rays by an opaque member or mask, which is provided with a translucent border or design. The element is then developed and finishedin the usual manner.

It is an object of this invention to provide a photographic printing machine which accomplishes the above mentioned results with the utmost speed and facility, which requires a minimum of manipulation by the operator and which requires little or no experience and in'which the production of .a finished picture is not dependent upon the skill of the operator.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine which enables the printing of a number of images on a sheet'of sensitized paper,

the printing of the images being accomplished in sequential operations of the machine and without rehandling of the paper after it has been initially introduced into the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a machine of the class named, a plurality of lighting chambers and means for controlling the intensity of illumination in each chamber, independently ofany of the others. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the class described in which the print is exposed to the light rays for a definite and constant period. of time, the time being dependent upon the speed at which the machine is operated and wherein depth of print color is controlled, not by varying the length of time during which the print is subjected to the light rays, but by a control of the intensity of the light to which the print is exposed. Thus, as distinguished from machines of prevailing type, the light intensity is a variable and the time of exposure normally a constant, though the latter may also be varied by changing the speed of operation of the machine.

A further object is to provide improved means for conveying the print from one portion of the machine to another.

A further object is to provide in a machine of the sensitized paper to the conveying mechanism.

A still further object of this invention isto provide means whereby the sensitized paper is positioned with great accuracy with respect to the negatives. v l f Fig. 1 of the drawings illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention in perspective; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the device shown in Fig. l, the section being taken at a vertical plane through the centers of the lighting chamber; Fig. 3, also a sectional view, shows a portionof the actuating mechanism; Fig. 4 is a perspective of a portion of the conveyor, showing one of the paper holding devices and guidingmeans therefor; Fig. 5 shows the jaw-actuating mechanism on the paper holding devices and Fig. 6 illustrates the switch and wiring arrangement for the lamps.

In the present embodiment of my invention I provide a supporting structure havinglegs 10 and a horizontal table portion 11. Disposed in the table are apair of glass-covered apertures which form photographic printing areas, designated respectively as 12 and 13, and which are, arranged one behind another along a line ex-' tending away from the front or operators end of the machine. Underlying the table and subtending the printing areas, are lighting chambers 14 and 15, provided with illuminating means such as the incandescent lamps 16 and 17. The lighting chambers have, preferably, internal reflecting surfaces and are shaped to produce an even dis tribution of the light over the printing areas. Each of the lamps 16 and 1'? is, by preference, adapted for individual intensity control, rheostats 18 and 19 being provided andarranged to regulate the illumination intensity inthe chambers 14 and 15 respectively. The energization of the lamps is effected through a cam-operatedswitch 20, (see Fig. 3) hereinafter more fully described;

In the present example, the printing of the picture, or major image on a prepared sheet of sensitized paper is accomplished. upon the for PATENT tim save for a translucent border or design, formed therein. The clamp 21 for maintaining the position. of the negative, consists of a pivoted clamping member 23 which is normally urged against a rnargin or the glass cover plate by a spring 24 (Fi 2). The negative is held between the mem- 23 and the plate, anda lever 25, acting on the member 23 is provided to allow removal of the negative. Any suitable means such as ordinarily employed in the, art, may be provided for holding the mask onthe area 13.

The conveyor comprises, preferably, an endless chain 26 which runs over a pair of sprockets 2'7 and 23 located at the front and rear of the machine respectively, the latter, preferably, being the driving sprocket. The sprocket 28 is keyed to a shaft 29 on which is mounted, for rotation with the shaft and sprocket, a gear 30 which forms part of a mechanism which may be con-- veniently designated as an intermittent drive. The gear 30,- in' the present example, has four equally spaced teeth, such as 31, and is provided with spaced peripheral portions, which conform with the periphery of a disc 32 operatively associated'with the gear 30, and which is provided with a single marginal recess or space 33. Thus, due'to the peripheral engagement of gear 30 and disc 32, the gear 39 can be revolved only when one of its teeth is in register with the space 33. Each of the teeth 31' is provided with a radial slot 34 adaptedtoaccomniodate aroller 35 (see instance is ninety degrees. Thus the gear 30isj periodically rotated'a quarter revolution during eachfullrevolution of the drive shaft 33.

- The conveyor chain 26 carries a plurality of paper holding devices designated generally as 39,

which are mounted on the chain at distances equal to the distance between centers of the prin ing areas 13 and '12. Each or the devices 39 com- E prises in part, a sliding head to (Figs. 4 and 5) provided with laterally extending v shaped por tions ll which are adapted to slide in a pair of war s42 and i3, the former of which is adjustable to take up for wear and prevent excessive play.

* '1he ways'forrn part of a longitudinal guide meinher is which extends below the upper portion of the chain and allows the paper holding devices to pass very closely along the'sides of the printing areas, as shown in Fig. 1. The sliding head portion of each of the devices 39, is preferably fastened to only one link of the chain, which allow'sthe chain toride over the sprockets without binding. Secured to the member 40, as by actuators 5 0 and 51 (Fig. 5) arepivoted to the leg 4'7 bycentrally disposed pins 52, and are ----connected together by a pair'of toggle links-53 within border.

52,601 actuation by the cam 61.

- ing to Fig. 5 it will be observed that anupward movement of the roller 59 causes the link members 53 and 54 to bemovecl out of their centered relation,

whereupon the actuators and 51 are partially rotated, causing the jaws to be opened. Also by reason of the toggle mechanism, the jaws are normally firmly held together under the action of the relatively light spring 60, so. as securely to grip the edges of the paper carried between them.

.When the photographic paper, with the major image printed thereon, is moved from the first printing area to the second, the paper mustbe positioned over the mask with great precision in order that the picture be accurately centered The sliding head construction previously described, prevents lateral misninent', and the intermittent drive mechanism, hereinbefore described, enables the paper to be longitudinally positioned, relative to the axis of theconveyor, with a high degree of accuracy. In addition to the means-afforded by the intermittent drive mechanism for accurately locating the paper holding clamps adjacent the printing areas, I provide an indexing mechanism which serves positively to locate the members 39',

with precision, relative to the printing. areasl2' and 13."-

[The indexing inechanisin'appearing in Fig. 3, consists of a face cam 61 (Fig. 3)',-having' the cam groove 62, and is mounted on drive shaft for rotation therewith. spot head 63 is provided with a roller 84 disposed in the groove The spotting head-is disposed in suitable guides (not shown), for vertical reciprocating movement, and carries a pair of spaced indexing members and 66. These members are tapered and upon upward movement, each passes into a link, or between adjacent rollers of the chain, and by cam action moves the chain slightly backward or for ward, as inaybe necessary, to spot the sensitized paper carried by the chain, withabsolute accuracy in its printing position. The indexing member 65 is provided with a lateral projection 6'7 which, when the spotting head moves upwardly forv engagement with the chain, is urged againstthe'roller 59 and causes the paper holding jaws 43 and 49 to be opened. The moveholding jaws are opened only at the feeding position, determined by projections 67, so that when the holding means are adjacent the iorwardmost printing area, the means just described operate to open the jaws andallow the paper to be inserted therebetween. Again, as the paper holdmeans are carried around the driving sprocket 28, the roller 59 is brought into contact with a stationary cam 68, causing the jaw rnernbers to release the paper which drops into a developing bath, conveniently located as shown at 69. v

During the printing operation the sensitized paper is forcibly pressed'against negatives on 'silient material such as sponge rubber.

the printing areas by a platen 70, (Fig. 1) which arms '71 are provided with pivot pins '73 which pass through slots 74 in the arms 72. The platen is provided on its outer surface with a pair of plates '75, each overlying one of the printing areas and which engage the platen at corner projections 76. A bridge member 7'? secured to the plates at their centers of area, is mounted on a pressure bar 78 which extends transversely therethrough. i

By the novel construction of the platen and related parts, an even distribution of pressure is obtained over the entire printing surface. The hinge construction, embodying a slotlil :e seat for each of the hinge pins, permits suilicient play to compensate for any surface irregularities exsting between the platen and printing portion of the table, and results in a substantially floating arrangement for mounting the platen assembly.

Extending downwardly through the apertures in the table, from the ends of the pressure bar 78, are vertical links 79, which are pivotally connected at'their lower ends, to the ends of levers 80 which, in turn, are pivoted to a stationary member, in the'present embodiment, the legs 81 of the supporting structure. Pivotally engaging the levers 80, intermediate their ends are links 82, which are connected with links 83, as by pivots 84-, the links 83 being connected to arms 85 extending from the suporting structure. The links 82 and 83 comprise a toggle arrangement which operates through the lever 80 and the vertical link 79 to actuate the platen. The property of the toggle mechanism to multiply force is utilized in the present example to forcibly press the platen upon the printing areas. Actuation of the toggle mechanism is effected through the link 83, which is. provided with a roller 88 operating in a groove 87 of a face cam 38 which is mounted for rotation with the drive shaft 38.

The disc 32, forming part of the drive, thecam 61 which actuates the indexing means, and the cam 88, which actuates the platen, are shown as a unitary structure and mounted on thedrive shaft 38. In addition to the aforesaid cams, I provide an edge cam 39, which may be formed integrally with the cam 88, and which serves to the cam at all times, and the tendency of the'contact 91 is such that the switch normally remains open until closed by the action of the cam. The

preferred arrangement of lamps 16 and 17, rheo-' stats 18 and and switch 20 are shown diagrammatically in Fig 6. i

For operating the machine I provide a motor 95 (Fig. 2) which is selectively operatively connected with a worm 96 and a worm gear 97 through a suitable clutch 98.x This clutchis actuatedby a foot control 99 which isconnected to the clutch through a verticallink' 100. Thesame'or an additional clutch may be provided,

with means (not shown) for automaticaly disconnecting the clutch after the worm gear has made one complete revolution, whereupon the gear comes to a positive stop. Such devices are old in the art and are frequently used in connection with machine tools of various types, such as punch presses. I 7

As will be more fully explained in the description of operation which follows, one revolution of the cam assembly accomplishes the printing of the picture or major image, and the transferring of the printed element to a position over the second printing area, where, during the next revolution of the cam assembly it will receive a border image. As the paper-holding means on the conveyor is moved to the second printing position,

another set of holding means on the conveyor is brought adjacent the forwardmost printing area, in feeding position, ready to receive another sheet of photographic paper. The cycle of operations is then repeated and a major image printed on the second element, during which 1 time the border is being printed on the first element. While the second elementis being transferred to the border printing location, the'first element is carried toward a where it is ultimately released. 7

Preparatory to the printing operations outlined above, the negative or film is placed on the glass corresponding to the printing area 12, and a suit developing bath 7 able mask is placed over or under the negative I so that only the central portion of the negative The negative is held by the rheostats in a manner suitable for the par ticular type of photographic paper used! The provision of separate intensity control means for each chamber allows a variation in depth of print color between the picture and the border, al-

though the time interval in each case remains constant.

Also a boriiti- After a sheet of photographic paper out to suitable dimensions is inserted over the negative and between. the open jaws of one of the paper holding devices, the foot control member is depressed,

causing the drive shaft to be rotated. The initial movement of the cam assembly causes the platen to be lowered and pressed tightly against the i table surface over the printing area. Next, the

light switch is actuated and held in closed position for a fractionof a revolution of the camassembly during which time the lamps are energized and the picture printed. While the picture f is being printed, the spotting head, previously described, is in its uppermost/or spotting'position, hence during thisperiod, the paper holding jaws 48 and 49 remain open, by reason of tho projection 67, on the spotting head, being in bearing engagement with the roller 59.

Further rotation of the cam assembly causes the lamp circuit to be broken, the platen to be lifted away from the printing areas, and the spot- 1 ting head to be moved downwardly and out of en gagement with the chain. As the spotting head is lowered, the projection 67 moves out of engagement with the roller 59, permitting the paper K holding jaws to come together and clasp jthe photographic paper somewhat in advance ofthe lifting of the platen. i

The operationsoutlined above have been accomplished during approximately one half revolution of the cam assembly, and the roller 35,.

mounted for rotation with the cam assembly, is now in position to engage the-intermittent drive gear 31. Continued movement turns this gear a quarter revolution,whereupon the conveyor is actuated to carry the photographic paper from the, first. to the second printing position, and to bring another pair of paper holding jaws adjacent the first printing area. As theconveyor' comes to a rest, the spotting head moves upwardly, causing-the indexing members 65 and 66 to come into contact with certain of the chain rollers adjacent the paper holding means and thereby spot, or position with great accuracy, the

photographic paper on the border-printing area as was hereinbefore explained. Also, with the upward movement of the spotting head, the second pair of paper holding means are spotted and the jaws. opened to receive another sheet of photographic paper. The cycle of operations-is nowcompleted, the cam assembly having made 'a full revolution and then stopped by the automatic clutching devicepreviously mentioned;

- on the first.

If a second print, identical with the first, is desired, the original negative is left in the machine. A second sheet of photographic paper is inserted, the foot lever. again pressed and the operations are repeated, While the picture is being printed on the second sheet, the border isbeing printed veyor, the first sheet, having the picture and border imprinted thereon, is carried rearwardly and subsequent movements of the conveyor bring the jaw operating roller associated with the jaw holding this sheet, into engagement with the stationary cam surface 68, whereupon the jaws are opened and the paper released to fall into the developing bath.

From the foregoing description, it will readily be observed that perfect photographic prints may be produced with little or no skill on the part of the operator, sincethe length of time of exposure, the positioning of the photographic paper on the negative and mask, and the removal of the printed sheet, are operations accomplished by the machine itself withoutspecial manipulation of the operator.

While the structure herein shown and described is a preferred embodiment of my invention, it isunderstood'that means may be added or interchanged without departing from the full intended scope thereof. 7

I'claim: i

l. A photographic printing machine including a plurality of printing areas adapted to be illuminated, a conveyor operable intermittently to transfer elements to be printed, from a position on one of said areas to a position on another thereof, and means for repositioning said elements with respect to said printing areas.

2. A photographic printing machine including a plurality of printing areas disposed'in a plane, a conveyor for the elements to be printed, having a portion movable substantially parallel to said plane, and means movable at an angle to said plane, for spotting said elements with respect to said areas.

3. A photographic printing device including a plurality of plane printing areas, means for conveying elements to be printed, with respect to said areas, said means including an endless conveyor Again, with movement of the con-- arranged for movement in a plane at an angle A to the plane of said areas.

ing areas disposed in substantial alignment,

mechanism for moving the elements to be printed, said mechanism including a flexible. conveyor having a portion operable in adjacence with the printing areas, and means for inter-- mittently actuating the conveyor to bring each of said elements successively in'adjacence to said areas.

7. A photo printing machine including a conveyor for a plurality of elements to be sequentially printed, illuminated printing areas arranged along the path of the conveyor, means for arresting said conveyor with the elements adjacent said areas, a single pressure platen common to said areaailluminants associated with said areas,

and means for independently controlling the degree of illumination of each of said areas.

8. A photo printing machine including a table portion, means forming a plurality of printing areas on said table portion, each adapted to be illuminated, means for conveying an element to be printed with respect to said areas, a padded pressure element common to said areas adapted to be brought thereupon, and means for coordinating the movements of said conveyor and said pressure element.

9. A photo. printing device including a table portion, means forming printing areas on the table portion, a mechanism for conveying elements to be printed from one to another of said printing areas, a platen pivotally connected to the table portion and adapted to bear against said areas, and means operatively interconnecting said conveying mechanism and platen for alternate, intermittent movement.

10. In. a photo printing machine having a plurality of printing areas, a chain conveyor and actuating means therefor, said means including an element adapted for continuous rotation and a, member arranged for intermittent rotation,

I said member operatively associating said element and conveyor.

11. In a photo printing machine having a plurality of printing areas, electrical illuminating means for saidareas, an endless conveyor for elements to be printed, intermittent driving means for said conveyor and switching means associated with said driving. means adapted to intermittently close the circuit to'said illuminating means.

l2. Ina photo printing machine having a plurality of printing areas, a platen arranged for pressure engagement with said areas, an endless conveyor and means'adapted to'intermittently actuate said platen and conveyor, said means including a member adapted for continuous rotation.

13; In a photoprinting machine having a plurality of printing areas, a driving'element adapted for continuous rotation, a member arranged for intermittent movement and operatively associated with said element, means for releasably securing the elements to-be printed, in printing position with respect. tosaid areas, and means less conveyor, means carried by said conveyor for holding elements to be printed, said means including paired clamping members and a clamp releasing element, and stationary means disposed inthe path of said releasing element for actuating said clamping members. 1

15. In a photo printing machine, a plurality oi printing areas adapted to be illuminated, and means for releasably positioning elements to be printed with respect to said. areas, said means including paired holding members and means for moving one of said members toward contact with the other member, substantially throughout their length.

16. In a photo printing machine, a plurality of printing areas adapted to be illuminated, and means for holding paper or like elements to be printed, in position with respect to said areas, said means including a pair of relatively movable gripping members and means for bringing said members into substantial parallelism, when in operative association with the elements to be printed.

17. In a photo printing machine, a plurality of printing areas adapted to be illuminated, and means for releasably holding said elements in printing position, said means including a pair of clamping members arranged for actuating move-v ment in substantial parallelism with each other.

18. In a photo printing machine, a plurality of printing areas adapted to be illuminated, and means for positioning paper or like elements to be printed, with respect to said areas, said means including paired members and mechanism for actuating said members into substantially simultaneous contact with portions of the element to be engaged thereby.

19. In a photo printing machine including a plurality of printing areas adapted to be illumi nated, means for positioning a paper or like element with respect to the printing areas, said means including paired elongate members, and means for causing movement of one of said members, to effect a substantially uniform and simultaneous engagement of said members with opposite sides of an element to be engaged thereby.

20. In a photo printing machine including a plurality of printing areas adapted to be illuminated and means for positioning paper or like elements to be printed, with respect to said areas,

said means including paired elongate gripping members adapted selectively to engage and dis-- engage the element to be positioned thereby, substantially over the length of one of said members. 21. In a photo printing machine, a plurality of printing areas adapted to be illuminated, and means for positioning paper or like elements, with respect to said areas, said means including paired normally parallel clamping members, and toggle mechanism for effecting relative movement of said members selectively to engage and disengage paper or like elements to be positioned thereby.

22. In a photo printing machine including a plurality of printing areas, adapted to be illuminated, means for positioning paper or like elements to be printed, with respect to the printing areas, said means including paired clamping members, toggle mechanism for actuating said members relative to each other,'resilientmeans normally tending to urge said members into clamping relation, and mechanical means adapted periodically to actuate said members toward open position. y l

23. In a photo printing machine a plurality of printing areas, means for detachably holding paper or like elements to be printed, in position with respect to said areas, an endless conveyor carrying said holding means and means'forming a guideway for portions of said conveyor adjacent saidprinting areas, and adaptedto direct said holding means into printing position of the elements carried thereby.

2.4. In a photo printing machine including printing areas adapted to be illuminated, a conveyor adapted for straight line movement over a portion of its path in adjacence to said printing areas, paper holding means carried by the con veyor, said holding means including a resilient member adapted to urge the holding means to clamping position, and means operable responsive to predetermined positions of the conveyor, for actuating said holding means to releasing position.

25. In a photo printing machine, a frame structure, means forming a plurality of printing areas associated with said structure, and adapted to be illuminated, a conveyor adapted for straight line movement over a portion of its path, with respect to the printing areas, holding devices for paper or like elements to be printed, associated with the conveyor, a platen adapted to be moved above said areas and into engagement with elements to be printed, a power unit, and means operatively associating said power unit with said conveyor and platen.

26. In a photo printing machine, a frame, a plurality of printing areas, means for selectively illuminating said areas, a conveyor having a portion movable with respect to said areas, holding devices for paper or like elements to be printed, and associated with the conveyor, a platen adapted to be moved adjacent said areas and into engagement with elements to be printed, a power unit and means operatively associating said power unit with said conveyor, platen and holding device.

27. In a photo printing machine, a frame and 25 a plurality of printing areas carried by the frame and adapted to be selectively illuminated,

a conveyor movable with respect to said areas,

a holding device for paper or like elements to be printed, and associated with the conveyor, a platen adapted to be moved into adjacence with said areas and into engagement with elements to be printed, a power unit, means for simultaneously actuating said platen and holding device by said power unit and means adapted to actuate said conveyor by said power unit while said last named means is inoperative.

28. In a photo printing machine, a plurality of printing areas, means for selectively illuminating said areas, a conveyor movable with re- 1 10 spect to said areas, a holding device for paper or like elements to be printed, and associated with'the conveyor, a platen adapted to be moved adjacent said areas and into engagement with elements to be printed, a power unit, and mecha- 14,5 nism adapted automatically and intermittently to associate, operatively, said power unit with said conveyor and said platen.

29. In a power driven photo printing machine,

a plurality of printing areas adapted to be illuminated, holding means for positioning paper or like elements, mechanical means including an endless conveyor adapted to carry the paper holding, means and move'the paper with respect to each of said printing areas, and means for directing said holding means successively to expose the veyor, to control the illumination of saidenclosures and areas. 31. In a power driven photo printingdevice,

a prime mover, a plurality of printing areas, a

light for illuminating each of said areas, a conveyor adapted to carry paper or like elements to be printed, with respect to said areas, paper,

clamps carried by the conveyor, a platenadapted to be brought upon said areas when said elements are in position to be printed, indexing means associated with the conveyor and clamps, and means relating the movementof said prime mover to effect an automatic timed control of the illumination of said lights, and the actuation of said,

conveyor, paper clamps, platen and indexing ARTHUR W. JACOBI. 

